Out of 1,093 counties with PHMSA gas distribution data, these are the counties with the highest incident risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 1,093 |
| Total incidents (top 100) | 1,661 |
| Total fatalities (top 100) | 140 |
Top 100 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Incidents | Fatalities | Latest Year | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inyo | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 15/100 |
| 2 | Kern | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 15/100 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 11/100 |
| 4 | Butte | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 11/100 |
| 5 | San Joaquin | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 11/100 |
| 6 | Cook | Illinois | 40 | 2 | 2025 | 29/100 |
| 7 | Harris | Texas | 38 | 5 | 2025 | 25/100 |
| 8 | Aransas | Texas | 38 | 5 | 2025 | 25/100 |
| 9 | Dallas | Texas | 32 | 4 | 2024 | 24/100 |
| 10 | Lafourche | Louisiana | 31 | 0 | 2006 | 19/100 |
| 11 | Lafourche Parish | Louisiana | 31 | 0 | 2006 | 19/100 |
| 12 | Santa Clara | California | 23 | 0 | 2023 | 10/100 |
| 13 | Allegheny | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 14 | Butler | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 15 | Wayne | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 16 | Washington | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 17 | Clark | Nevada | 22 | 1 | 2022 | 9/100 |
| 18 | Dutchess | New York | 22 | 0 | 2019 | 43/100 |
| 19 | Putnam | New York | 22 | 0 | 2019 | 7/100 |
| 20 | Tompkins | New York | 22 | 0 | 2019 | 7/100 |
| 21 | Broome | New York | 22 | 0 | 2019 | 7/100 |
| 22 | Prince George's | Maryland | 20 | 2 | 2021 | 49/100 |
| 23 | Montgomery | Maryland | 20 | 2 | 2021 | 49/100 |
| 24 | Calvert | Maryland | 20 | 2 | 2021 | 16/100 |
| 25 | Maricopa | Arizona | 20 | 0 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 26 | Apache | Arizona | 20 | 0 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 27 | Cochise | Arizona | 20 | 0 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 28 | Tarrant | Texas | 19 | 1 | 2025 | 21/100 |
| 29 | Cooke | Texas | 19 | 1 | 2025 | 21/100 |
| 30 | Madera | California | 19 | 1 | 2020 | 10/100 |
| 31 | Fulton | Georgia | 18 | 1 | 2025 | 18/100 |
| 32 | Oakland | Michigan | 17 | 2 | 2021 | 11/100 |
| 33 | Washtenaw | Michigan | 17 | 2 | 2021 | 11/100 |
| 34 | Queens | New York | 16 | 3 | 2019 | 15/100 |
| 35 | New York | New York | 15 | 8 | 2021 | 46/100 |
| 36 | Douglas | Nebraska | 15 | 5 | 2023 | 38/100 |
| 37 | Dodge | Nebraska | 15 | 5 | 2023 | 38/100 |
| 38 | Thurston | Nebraska | 15 | 5 | 2023 | 38/100 |
| 39 | Salt Lake | Utah | 15 | 1 | 2025 | 28/100 |
| 40 | Box Elder | Utah | 15 | 1 | 2025 | 28/100 |
| 41 | King | Washington | 15 | 1 | 2022 | 10/100 |
| 42 | Pierce | Washington | 15 | 1 | 2022 | 10/100 |
| 43 | Orange | California | 15 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 44 | Lassen | California | 15 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 45 | Lake | California | 15 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 46 | Cuyahoga | Ohio | 14 | 2 | 2025 | 45/100 |
| 47 | Sullivan | New York | 14 | 2 | 2024 | 23/100 |
| 48 | Nassau | New York | 14 | 2 | 2024 | 23/100 |
| 49 | Clinton | New York | 14 | 2 | 2024 | 23/100 |
| 50 | Westchester | New York | 14 | 2 | 2024 | 23/100 |
| 51 | Terrebonne Parish | Louisiana | 14 | 0 | 2009 | 19/100 |
| 52 | St. Charles Parish | Louisiana | 14 | 0 | 2009 | 14/100 |
| 53 | St. Mary Parish | Louisiana | 14 | 0 | 2009 | 14/100 |
| 54 | Terrebonne | Louisiana | 14 | 0 | 2009 | 14/100 |
| 55 | Kings | New York | 14 | 0 | 2021 | 10/100 |
| 56 | Travis | Texas | 13 | 2 | 2024 | 13/100 |
| 57 | Hennepin | Minnesota | 13 | 2 | 2019 | 11/100 |
| 58 | San Diego | California | 13 | 0 | 2020 | 4/100 |
| 59 | Baltimore | Maryland | 12 | 7 | 2023 | 49/100 |
| 60 | Wicomico | Maryland | 12 | 7 | 2023 | 49/100 |
| 61 | Jackson | Missouri | 12 | 1 | 2025 | 44/100 |
| 62 | Prince William | Virginia | 12 | 0 | 2024 | 8/100 |
| 63 | Anchorage | Alaska | 12 | 0 | 2014 | 6/100 |
| 64 | Ketchikan Gateway Borough | Alaska | 12 | 0 | 2014 | 6/100 |
| 65 | Denton | Texas | 11 | 2 | 2024 | 26/100 |
| 66 | Alameda | California | 11 | 1 | 2025 | 16/100 |
| 67 | St. Louis | Missouri | 11 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 68 | Iron | Missouri | 11 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 69 | St. Charles | Missouri | 11 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 70 | St. Louis | Kansas | 11 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 71 | Collin | Texas | 10 | 2 | 2021 | 16/100 |
| 72 | Middlesex | Massachusetts | 10 | 2 | 2021 | 9/100 |
| 73 | San Bernardino | California | 10 | 0 | 2025 | 15/100 |
| 74 | Riverside | California | 10 | 0 | 2025 | 15/100 |
| 75 | Will | Illinois | 10 | 0 | 2021 | 9/100 |
| 76 | Franklin | Ohio | 10 | 0 | 2025 | 8/100 |
| 77 | Contra Costa | California | 10 | 0 | 2023 | 8/100 |
| 78 | Matanuska-Susitna | Alaska | 10 | 0 | 2018 | 7/100 |
| 79 | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Alaska | 10 | 0 | 2018 | 7/100 |
| 80 | Perry,Pulaski | Arkansas | 9 | 1 | 2021 | 14/100 |
| 81 | Pulaski | Arkansas | 9 | 1 | 2021 | 14/100 |
| 82 | Bernalillo | New Mexico | 9 | 1 | 2023 | 9/100 |
| 83 | Wayne | Michigan | 9 | 0 | 2023 | 46/100 |
| 84 | Chemung | New York | 9 | 0 | 2015 | 11/100 |
| 85 | Macomb | Michigan | 9 | 0 | 2023 | 9/100 |
| 86 | Suffolk | New York | 9 | 0 | 2015 | 3/100 |
| 87 | Rensselaer | New York | 9 | 0 | 2015 | 3/100 |
| 88 | Nueces | Texas | 9 | 0 | 2014 | 3/100 |
| 89 | Genesee | Michigan | 8 | 2 | 2020 | 13/100 |
| 90 | Bexar | Texas | 8 | 2 | 2025 | 12/100 |
| 91 | Essex | Massachusetts | 8 | 1 | 2019 | 30/100 |
| 92 | Tulsa | Oklahoma | 8 | 0 | 2020 | 7/100 |
| 93 | Jefferson | Alabama | 7 | 4 | 2020 | 12/100 |
| 94 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | 7 | 2 | 2020 | 7/100 |
| 95 | Monroe | New York | 7 | 1 | 2024 | 19/100 |
| 96 | Shawnee | Kansas | 7 | 1 | 2017 | 7/100 |
| 97 | Lucas | Ohio | 7 | 0 | 2021 | 4/100 |
| 98 | Henry | Ohio | 7 | 0 | 2021 | 4/100 |
| 99 | El Paso | Texas | 7 | 0 | 2023 | 4/100 |
| 100 | Utah | Utah | 6 | 3 | 2024 | 31/100 |
Methodology
County rankings are based on total PHMSA gas distribution incidents reported since 2004, weighted by fatalities and recency. Counties with more incidents and fatalities rank higher.
Data source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Gas Distribution System Incident Reports 2004-2026. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas distribution incident?
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — leaks, ruptures, explosions, and equipment failures that can cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities. PHMSA requires all operators to report significant incidents.
How can I protect my home?
Install CO detectors on every level (CPSC recommendation). Have gas appliances inspected annually. Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near pipelines. If you suspect a leak, leave immediately and call 911.